Airless vehicle tire



R. N lVIcCLURE.

AFHLESS VEHICLE TlRE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9. 192i.

Patented Deo. 12, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHED I.

ATToRNEYf R. N. MCCLURE.

AIRLESS VEHICLE URE.

APPLICATION HLEQ MAY 9. |921.

Patented Deo. 12, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' INVENTOR. M772 'sm A TTORNEYX of yt .ri Patented Dee. lod, i.

RGDNEY 1N. MCCLUREDF LOS NGELES, CALIFGRNI.

Mannes vnnicitn 'man' Application filed May 9, 182i. Serial No. $168,109.

To @ZZ 'whom t may concern:

Be it lnovvn that l, Bonner N. ,MCCLURE, a citizen of the United States,`and a resident of Los Angeles, in thecounty of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in rlirless V chicle Tires, of which the jlolloiving.;` `is a specificad tion. y

rllhis invention. relates in general to cushion tires for motor propelled vehicles' and the like, and more particularly to a 'forni yoit tire heaving` all oi' the advantages or a pneumatic tire, and adapted toprovide a mainmuni amount of resiliency and i vample strength for supporting` the `Weight ot the vehicle, and yet possessing` cushioning` qualities favorably comparable with pneumatic tires, when used on such vehicles. n

rlhe main object is to provide'in an airless tire, in connection with the usual outer :asing` which is reinforced by several layers oli fabric, an annular shoe or `filler which is continuous 'throughout its length, and 1s adapted to be inserted in the casing,- .and on the metal rim ofthe Wheel, for holding the casing extended in the same manner When an inner tube is used in the casing, and held extended by compressed air. l i

lt will be understood in the consideration o'l this invention that the air iilled tube which is now in common use is subject to puncture and ,other troubles, and possesses disadvantages Which etten cause delay and inconvenience to the operators of the vehicle, and itis an object o'imyinvention to provide a tire which incapable of puncture or injury, to the extent that delays may be. encountered and which will generally atlord satisfaction to the users, and longer greater. li e, and yet` possess ample resiliency and strength Alor use on pleasure or ,freight vehicles. g "lo this end l. have provided, and will hereinafter describe, a Mform of tire'ivhich intaludes the outer casing' and an annular filler may tively, the inner ivall of theouter casing, and the outer surface of the Wheel ,rim and the cross section oi: said ller is of such character thatannular air spaces or cavities will .be provided within the outer casing, on each side of the filler and between theinner portion thereof andthe Wheel rim. These `cavities alord space within the tire casing to permit the distension or compression of the filler', as the successive portions o1 the tire come into contact with the surface lot the road and the full Weight of the'vehiele is pressed `on thetire, `and servesto compress `and distend the filler laterally. rilhe illers have a. maximum cross section area midway olf their inner and outer` portions, and the central'annular vcavity therein bisects thev said central portion and permits the oppof site sides ot said central portion, when the shoe isl conipressed by the Weight of the vehicle on the tire, to expand outwardly in `the direction ot' the side Walls .ot the outer casing. y i The. expansion and contraction of the filler in the manner stated, during the movement et the vehicle, causes a `displacem'ent of the air Within the annular `cavities of the tire and the therein therefore` serves more orless as acnshion'ing element, as the area ot' said cavities is increased asthe case may be, due to the expansion or contraction of thelilleij.

lileans is also proyidedon the inner por tion oiI said `i'iller member for holding the clii'icher4 beads ot the outer casing. in firm contact wit the Wheel i'iin.` ln order to prevent thea-roeping of the illeron the rini, .l liaiifc also provided stints extending outn .iardllv' and radially from .the wheel rim into vthe inner igiortion of the iller. For this purpose it `ivillbe understood also that l have providetha filler` which vis adaptable to; pleasure and heavy duty vehicles,v and in the latter type ,of vehicle a plurality of the fillersA may be provided lWithin a casing and spaced apart, so 'that the heavy duty vehicles have atire of `Width equal to those used on the solid truck tires.` p

.l have illustratedin the accompanying drawings several modifications of my invention, showing; the'adaptation of the saine to1 erent uses,` in which:

i hr .i l a cross sectional vienY of a tire casing' lwith n filler shoe ol2 .resilient character ajnlcaniaed to the interior thereof.`

l OD

. i iio M i i wrappings of tape 'if n v v k Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of a tire with my improvements therein, showing a separable filler shoe.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of a truck y `elements ofthe tire'.

Fig. 5 isa transverse cross section of a tire of the character shown in Fig. l, illustrating the relative positions of the several parts when compressed, due to the weight of the vehicle.

F ig. 6 is a full' view of a tire of the character-shown in Fig. 5, partly in section to show `the cavities within the filler member separated by transverse ribs, as an optional inethod of forming tl e filler.

Referring` now more particularly `to Figs. l and 4f, C is an outer casing` with the usual cuter coating of rubber fr, a plurality of layers .of fabric f being provided on the inside of the tread r, a plurality of spiral Vinteriorly of said fabric, and the'usual inner layers of fabric ff. The inner portions of the tire are provided'with thel usual beads 29,2), for engagement with the vehicle rim l. )n the inside of the casing C" adjacent to the inner fabric layers fI provide an annular ring of resilient rubber r which is of segmental cross section, and the inner surface of which is flat and substantially parallels the outer surface of the `rim R. Contraryto usual practice in outer tire casings, inwhich the space between the beads b, Z), is open, l have'closed this space with a plurality of layers of fabric and rubber alternately, arranged in the usual manner, as at e, the inner layersof fabric f being` continued around the portion ef y Intermediate the portion c and the ring r l have provided a filler core F which has au enlarged central portion provided with an annular cavity l of elongated cross section and surrounded by ar hollow canvas belt B which separatesuthe central portion of the core' F into triangular side portions l, l, the corners 2, 2, of said side portions are disposed transversely of the tire casing. on a line parallel to the surface of the rim R, and the outer sides of the "core are inclined upwardly and .downwardly from the corners.y so that thelinaxiinum width of the'core will be on a line cutting the corners 2, 2.

ln this form of tire the outer portion of the core F has an annular bead 3 which is adapted kto seat ini a corresponding groove in the annular ring` r', and the triangular .spaces between theV outer inclined surface of theccre F the inner flat surfaces of the ring' r and the adjacentportions of the innerv 'there will be no wear on the core.

wall of the casing C are filled byy hollow fabric rings s, t, of triangular cross section and having. annular cavities 5, 5, therein. rlhe inner portionof the core F has an annular shoe S with .a vconcave surface adapted to conform to and to lit on the portion e of the casing C. y

Now, it will be understood that the casing C, the segmental ring r', the core F, the fabric tubes 4, Li, are all vulcanized together and form an integral structure and the form of core shown provides spaces 6, 6 at the sides and on the interior of the casingg` C to allowfo'r the expansion and distension of the core F when the casing` and core are compressed by the weight of the vehicle. The air within said spaces and within the tubes 4;, 4t serves also as a cushioning element when the casing` and core are depressed. In the manufact-ure of the tire the core F is formed in two like sections, the line separation between which will cut the centraly cavity le, the two portions thereafter being vulcanized together to form an integral core. In some cases it may be found desirable to use the core in two parts instead ofvulcanizingr the parts together as stated. y

The portion e of the casingis concave and is adapted to receive plurality of over-lapping;` fiat springs 7, Ywhich may be suitably attached tothe rim it beneath beads t, l) or".

lthe casing. The inner ends of said springs lprovided with slots 8, as shown in Fig. l, for receiving studs 9 which are-adapted to be threaded into the rim Ft and extended inwardly through the portion e and into corresponding` recesses of the core F, for the purpose of preventing the creeping of the tire on the rim. Usually three or four of these studs are sufficient for the purpose. The recesses inthe core F are of sufficient depthy to permit of the compression of the core F over the ends of the studs so that l may also provide in the spaces l0, adjacent to the riml l?.` and between said rim and the springs i', coil springs ll carried on the studs 9 and adapted to compress between the fiat sp1-infin:` i' and the rim when the tire is compressed by the weight of the vehicle thereon. These may or may not be necessary but will serve to provide ain-ple resiliency for the portion e of the casing; andto restrict said portion to its normal concave form.

The form of tire shown in Fig. 2 comprises the usual outer casing' C, with the rubber tread r, a plurality of layers of fabric y, an inner coating of rubber r', and the. usual clincherbeads b for holding the cas-v ing on the wheel rim The core F in this l` form of tire comprises the central side portions l, 1 similarin character to the construction shown in Fig, l, and the central cavity le. ofannular character and of circular cross section, with inner and outer eX- Licence tensions le, le. The portions l, l, have the outer inclined sides is, 1S, end the inner `inclined sides 1d, andthe corners 2,2, which are spaced from the inner Walls of the casing When the tire is extended.

The outer portion 3 of the core, in this form of device is substantially wider than that shown in F l und hes e curved surfece conforming to and adapted to engage the inner Wall of the casing C. rlhe inner portion or shoe S or the core lf has annuler port-ions l2, l2, the sides of which conform to the inner surface; of the bends l), t, und the inner surface ot Whichare flat and are edapted to engage the outer surface ot the Wheel rim An annularspace 'i3 is provided between the portions l2, l2, `ot the shoe and the rim, which permits the distension and compression oit the shoe when the Weight of the vehicle is placed on the tire, and serves to force the beads l), more irmly into the curved `iianges of 'the rim, and thus to hold the tire firmly in position on the rim. lWhen the tire is in use `on a vehicle, it will be understood that successive portions oi the core F will be distended :is the Wheels move over the rond, and the corner portions 2, 2 oi the core will be forced outwardly into contiict with or close to the side Walls oit the casing C, thus varying the area und i'orm of the side cavities, 6 on opposite sides of the core. The centrel cav ity le in the core permits of the late-rel distension of the central portion or' the core l?, end affords a maximum resiliency `to the core.

ln the manufacture ot the core F, as shown in F ig. 2, the core is preferably formed in tivo like parts vulcanized together in the center, so es to formen integral annuler filler separable from the casing (l, und adapted to be pleced ltherein or removed therefrom, as inner tubesare nov! inserted in or removed from said earrings.

,ln VFig. 3 l have shown :i form of tire embodying the lient/ur o'lf my invention, which 'is :ide pted particularly to heavy vehicles, end includes en outer casii'ig C ot Wide cross section, with en outer tread of rubber fr, the inner layers 'of 'fabric /",beuds l), adapted to be supported on the 'Wide `Wheel rim This type of tire may be ot the character shown in Fig. 2 or may embody sonieo'f the features shown in Fig. l or in Fig. 2, the portions 3 ot the cores F being flat on their outer surfaces for contact with `the inner wall of the casing, end the portions Al2 oi' seid cores being` aduptedto sent on the rim R. The central cavities lco'lf the ycores ere of slightly different fornifrom the cavities' shovvn in Figs. l and 2, but this is vimmetes` together with the coil springs ll on `seid studs, Which are adapted to compress between the rim lt und suitable Washers lll held against the inner `concave surfaces ot the slices Si of the cores, end Within the spaces i3, es shown in .Fig ihecores ll" tor heavy duty purposes are spaced apart sutil cientl'y to provide for the distension und compression ot' the cores Whenfthe Weight ol the vehicle is on the tire, und annuler air spaces l5, l and 16, 16 (see Fig. 3) are provided et th sides of the cores ior the Seine purpose. i v

is in the other forms oi tire shown, the inner czwitieslc ot the cores may have the fabric tube B, it desired, or necessary butin the separable cores l?, es4 shown in Figs 2 and 3, it is not thought that the same will be necessaryes in the case oif'the integral struc ture, shown `in 'l. For use on e truck` tire, one or more oi the fillers muy be inserted or removed et Will for replacement, or other purposes and with the cores l? made as shown With s maximum eres, et 'the greatest point of distension, now et the center, and mid rvr-y` of the inner und outer port-ions :imple resiliency will be afforded which 'will coinpare favo ably With pneumatic tires and elf i'ord longer life to the tire. Y

It vvill be understoodthatthe exact form of the cores l." may be changed to suit con-` ditions, end that said cores, being continuous i and of integral character should last es long` as the casing C und afford iniinitely more satis-friction end security to the usersthen other typesof fillers or cores, in which e series of short` segments ere provided. ln the use of a lsingle` continuous ring or core, es shown inthe draw-ings, the friction will be vminimized between `the casing and the` core,` and the surface between the casing end the core being of a maximum eren und venting creeping oi the core Within the cssing due to the traction weve Within the tire.

In the form of tire sheivn in itin: l, the innerlayers of 'fabric )1 muy constitute un `inner casing C which is preihrubiy 'termed iiutegrully with the portions i", 4, si, the core l(` und theinclosure e, so thut the entire inner structure of the tire muy be u. sepuruo unit from the outer casing und cepuble ot beinrf` inserted in end removed therefrom et will.`

As shown in Figs. 5 andG. the cavities le of the iller member F, instead of being` ennuhir usshovvn in Fie'. l, may be arcuate in form und separated by transverse ribs r, vliereby a plurality oit cavities be provided in the tire instead of a single cavity.` rthe ribs r will obviously serve to reinforce the structure ot `the griller `and et the same time to subdivide the filler into Va plurality oit like sections, yieldeble locally and inrhipend-V iso the form `of tire shown, the area and formerthe spaces lc, 5, and 6 Within the inner casing F ig. 5, and it will be observed by reference to .thisl fact Athat the area and form are completely changed from that shown in Figs. l and 2. y

Now, this being the case, 'the volume `of air 'and the pressure within the said spaces is correspondingly changed, and the` natural- Atendency is to restore the tire tor its normal position by reason of the displacement 'of the air, and the increase in pressure Within said spaces. i i

In the iorm ot heavy duty tire shown in Fig. 3, the cores l? may be held in spaced relation at the bottomby means of spacer bands B', l5 formed of alternate layersof fabric and rubber titting between the shoes S', S, S and ifneeded similar bands may be also provided between the portions il, 3, 3, of the cores at theouter peripheries.

It will `be readily apparentthat I may alter the construction shown Within the scope ofthe appended claims Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. Aniairless tire includ-ing acontinuous annular Core adapted to be held Within a tire casing and on a Wheel rim and having enlarged casing and rim engaging surfaces, and a maximum cross sectional area at points midway of said casing' and rim engaging surtacesiy l 2. An airless tire including a continuous annular core adapted to be held Within a tire casing and on a Wheel rim and having .ilarged casing and rim engaging surfaces, and a maximum cross sectional area at points midway oi" said casing and rim engaging surfaces, an annular cavity being provided in 'the central portion of said core, as described. i

3. ln an airless tire, a casing, a continuous annular core in said casing having a central annular cavity therein, and a maximum cross sectional area around said cavity, an inner annular shoe integral-therewith having the sides thereof formed to seat the in;- ner portions of the beads of .thecasing, and annular portions spaced apart for engagement with the Wheel rimand providing an air space bet-Ween said rim engaging portions, and other air spaces at the sides of the core, as described.`

4t. ln an airless tire comprising an outer cas'ng having clincher beads thereon and on'tinnous annular core in combination with a rim'for supporting said casing, said core formed of tivo like portions vuloanizedtogetherand provided with a centralcavit'y in the center,v and side portions arranged to provide air spaces-between lsaid core. and the Walls of said casing. Y 1

5. ln a tire comprising a casing and a core in combination Wit-h' a metal riin for supporting said casing, said core having a continuous annular cavityl therein, inner and outer portions engaging the Walls and beads `of said casing respectively,-and a central ripheries engaging portions' orf said casing,

and a central portion of greater Varea than I said bearing portionsq and normally spaced from the sides of said casing for providing air spaces between the core and casing` and permitting the distension or compression .of said core due to the 'Weight of the vehicle thereon. f g

7. In a tire comprising a casing and a core in combination of awheel'riin tor supporting said casing,'said core having an outer hearing portion adapt-ed. to engagethe central portion of said casing7 and innerbearing portions adapted to engage the inner beaded portions of said casing, and a centralenlarged portion having its sides normally spaced from the sides ofsaid-casing for providing` air spaces therearonnd, to permit the distension and compression of said core laterally in said casing. i

8. ln a tire comprising'a oasing'and a core in combination with a Wheel rim7 said core being annular and having an outerbearing portion adapted to engage the central portion oi said casing,` and inner bearingportions adapted to engage the inner beaded portions of said casing,V and accntral eolarged portion having its .sides normally spaced 'from the sides of said casing for providing air spaces therearound, to permit the distension and compression'of said core laterally in said casing7 said core being provided ivith an annular cavity midway of said inner andv outer lbearing portions whereby the opposite sides of said central portion may spread in ,opposite directions.

9. In a tire'comprising a.l casing and a core in combination with a Wheel rim7 saidv core having' an outer bearing portion adapted to engage the central portion of said casing, and inner bearing` portions adapted to engage the inner beaded portions of said casing, l,and a central enlarged portion having its'sides normally spaced apart from lli) the sides of said casing for providing air soeces there-around, to permit the Clistension und coifnpression of said core laterally in said casing, said core being provided with an annular cavity midway of said inner and outer bearing portions, whereby the opposite sides of said central portion may spread in opposite directions, said annular cavity being of greatest Width midway of its inner and outer periplieries.

RDNEY N. MCCLURE. Witnesses:

J. W. SHEELEY, LUTHER L. MACK. 

